Many of us have heard about the recent loneliness epidemic in men. This is a concerning situation across the country where men are experiencing more isolation and disconnection.
Without a sense of community, relationships, and support, many of these men are also experiencing mental health crises. Suicide rates are rising, and yet men are often not seeking or are unable to get the help they deserve.
Because of the importance of addressing men’s mental health, this article focuses on why men in the U.S. are facing mental health crises. It also discusses what California’s mental health executive order in 2025 hopes to accomplish, and what it could signal for people seeking care.
Founded in 2010, A Mission For Michael (AMFM) offers specialized mental health care across California, Minnesota, and Virginia. Our accredited facilities provide residential and outpatient programs, utilizing evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR.
Our dedicated team of licensed professionals ensures every client receives the best care possible, supported by accreditation from The Joint Commission. We are committed to safety and personalized treatment plans.
Why Are Men Facing a Mental Health Crisis in the U.S.?
Too many men are quietly facing challenges with their mental health. Statistics show that nearly one in ten men experience some form of depression or anxiety, but less than half of them seek treatment.1 Men also have higher rates of suicide than women, with rates being four times higher.2 Yet, men are diagnosed with depression or anxiety at much lower rates.
The reason for this often has to do with how men perceive mental health, its stigmas, and the cultural expectations around independence and “toughness” that make opening up feel uncomfortable.
Then, when they do try to access care, they’re often faced with additional obstacles. Especially now, as there are nationwide provider shortages, which lead to long waitlists.3 There are also concerns about cost and affordability, leaving many men wondering where to go for treatment and how much it’ll cost.
Why California Issued The Executive Order
The state recognized the need for men’s mental health support in California because of the alarming rise in suicide and isolation in men. Men, especially young men, are feeling more disconnected, with nearly one in four men under the age of 30 reporting having no close friends.4 To address these concerns, California issued mental health initiatives for men in 2025.
The executive order calls on state agencies to focus specifically on the needs of young men and boys, improve prevention efforts, and strengthen pathways to work and education. Essentially, the message behind the order is that too many people are finding help too late, and the state wants to shorten that gap.
What an Executive Order Actually Does
An executive order is a law issued strictly by the governor of the state. The President of the country or the governors of states can sign these orders because they are part of the executive branch.5 The term “executive order” may sound abstract or overly political. But it’s simply a way for a governor to direct state agencies to move faster and work together around a specific issue.
In this case, for men’s behavioral health, California’s executive order instructs departments across health, education, and social services to prioritize suicide prevention for boys and young men. It also aims to strengthen outreach efforts and improve how programs connect on the ground. Because executive orders tend to move through the legislative system more quickly, they can shorten the time taken to implement these programs.
How The Executive Order Supports Male Mental Health in California
Instead of rewriting entire systems overnight, the executive order focuses on understanding why boys and young men are facing challenges at higher rates. It also targets how California’s existing programs can reach them more effectively. The emphasis is on prevention, connection, and coordinated planning across state agencies. In the following sections, we take a look at how it plans to achieve these goals.Reducing Suicide Risk and Social Disconnection
A key goal of California’s mental health policy for men is to address concerns about rising suicide rates and growing isolation. It has done this by working toward reconnecting men with community. With this order, the Governor is directing agencies to identify opportunities to promote and enhance men and boys’ participation in volunteer and service opportunities, as well as connect them with mentors.6 In fact, the state has recruited thousands of men to serve in mentorship roles in order to build connections for younger men.
Expanding Collaboration and Opportunity Pathways
Alongside mental health supports, the state is examining how mentorship, career training, and school-based programs can foster connection and purpose, factors strongly linked to emotional well-being. By aligning these systems, California hopes to provide men with earlier support before distress escalates into crisis.
The main goal of the executive order is to examine existing data on gender disparities to identify gaps in help-seeking and where boys and men disengage from available services. It also aims to recommend ways to make outreach more effective.
What Does California’s Executive Order Mean for Men’s Mental Health?
Essentially, California’s executive order means less stigma around seeking help for mental health and a push toward getting that help earlier. Because the executive order asks agencies to look at where men and boys disengage from services, they can focus on how existing programs can meet demands more efficiently. With these improvements, men will eventually see shorter wait times for support, improved follow-up after initial contact, and earlier interventions before symptoms worsen.
The order also means that men will have better connections to build community through volunteer and mentoring programs that will likely decrease feelings of isolation and disconnection. Greater attention to prevention and stabilization may also help more men reach structured residential settings when appropriate, rather than cycling through repeated emergency visits without long-term support.
Why California’s Approach Matters Nationwide
California’s approach matters nationwide because it is not just California that is dealing with this crisis. All across the country, men are dealing with significant mental health concerns. So California’s approach may make a difference because other states often watch how states handle new reforms to look for models that improve their own mental health care.
Similar to California, many states are also facing shortages of behavioral health professionals, limited access to crisis response services, and overburdening in emergency departments. Therefore, when a large state tests new approaches to coordination and outreach, policymakers elsewhere often look to those results when considering their own next steps.
In other words, if California’s strategy helps men enter care earlier and stay engaged longer, it could influence how future policies are written across the country. This could signal a continued move toward prevention, continuity, and long-term recovery rather than reactive, last-minute solutions.
Finding Stability With AMFM Healthcare
As California continues to redefine how it supports men’s mental health, one thing remains constant, and that is that meaningful recovery depends on personalized care delivered at the right time. While policy changes address concerns with access and coordination, people still need places they can feel understood and build tools for lasting well-being. This is where AMFM Healthcare comes in. While policies are taking effect, we fill the gaps by providing comprehensive mental health care to meet your needs.
With thirteen locations across California, we offer personalized, evidence-based therapy in a supportive environment where you can step away from life’s daily pressures and focus fully on healing. Our residential program addresses concerns ranging from depression and suicidal thoughts to trauma and psychosis.Whether you’re looking for help after a crisis or simply just want to find out if our program can support men’s mental health, AMFM Healthcare is committed to helping you find stability and hope in a changing mental health landscape. Reach out to us today to take the first step.
FAQs About Men’s Mental Health Support in California
If you or someone you care about is facing a mental health crisis, you may have ongoing questions about the steps the state of California is taking to better support you. To help, we’ve provided the following answers to FAQs on the topic.
How Does California Support Men’s Mental Health?
California supports men’s mental health by implementing and expanding statewide prevention programs and community-based initiatives to get men connected with support. A large part of addressing men’s mental health in California’s policy is recruiting thousands of men for mentorship, as well as expanding volunteer opportunities to connect men to the community. Because of the loneliness epidemic in men, these goals support them in feeling more connected.
Who Benefits From the Executive Order on Mental Health in California?
California’s mental health executive order focuses mainly on boys and young men, but can benefit men of all ages. But when men get the help they need and deserve, their families and communities also benefit. Over time, these improvements can strengthen the entire mental health system.
How Could California’s Executive Order Affect Men in Crisis Situations?
The executive order can affect men in crisis situations by addressing the underlying causes of these crises. At a time when there are federal cuts to suicide prevention, California’s executive order is working to fill in these gaps and support faster connections to appropriate services.
What Are the Most Common Mental Health Disorders in Men?
Two of the most common mental health disorders in men are depression and anxiety. 7 Men also have higher rates of substance use disorder.8 Every person is different, though, and both men and women can develop various mental health conditions, which is one reason early screening and accessible men’s mental health are so important.
Why Is Men’s Mental Health Ignored?
Men’s mental health is not ignored, as such, but often receives less attention because of social and cultural expectations. For instance, society often teaches men to discourage emotional openness and not to seem weak. This can lead to them being less aware of symptoms, especially if these symptoms are uncommon.
How Does AMFM Healthcare Help Men Seeking Treatment?
We help men seeking treatment by providing comprehensive residential treatment that is built around addressing each person’s needs. We’ll also work with men to connect to additional services, whether that’s continued outpatient therapy, community programs, or support groups. Our programs focus on stabilization, skill-building, and long-term resilience while helping men transition back into daily life with confidence.
References
- Anxiety & Depression Association of America. (2026, January 23). Men’s mental health. https://adaa.org/find-help/by-demographics/mens-mental-health
- Griffith, D. (2024, April 2). Men and mental health: What are we missing? AAMC. https://www.aamc.org/news/men-and-mental-health-what-are-we-missing
- National Council for Mental Wellbeing. (2025, December 19). A workforce under pressure: Preparing the behavioral health workforce for today and tomorrow. https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/behavioral-health-workforce-under-pressure-preparing-today-tomorrow/
- American Institute for Boys and Men. (2025, September 12). Male loneliness and isolation: What the data shows. https://aibm.org/research/male-loneliness-and-isolation-what-the-data-shows/
- UCLA Library. (n.d.). Research guides: Public policy: State executive orders. https://guides.library.ucla.edu/c.php?g=180182&p=1190978
- Taragallegos. (2025, August 4). Governor Newsom issues executive order to support young men and boys, address suicide rates. Governor of California. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/07/30/governor-newsom-issues-executive-order-to-support-young-men-and-boys-address-suicide-rates/
- UC Davis Health. (2025, August 23). Men’s mental health: What to know about depression and anxiety and how to get help. Cultivating Health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/mens-mental-health-what-to-know-about-depression-and-anxiety-and-how-to-get-help/2025/07
- Zakiniaeiz, Y., & Potenza, M. N. (2018). Gender-related differences in addiction: A review of human studies. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 23, 171–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.08.004
